Have you ever wondered why were revolutions fought for? Why in some cases they had to risk millions of lives in order to have a successful revolution? And how does these turnovers that were fought in our past affect us today? If we look at the history of revolutions, we can find revolutions almost in any country on earth. But three of them were a main revolutions that on their steps, and by the influence of them, other revolutions had been fought. They are: The Glorious Revolution, The American Revolution, and The French Revolution.
But when we look at these three in History, By studying them we can find lots of similarities and correspondences. As these three shakeups were closely followed by each other. We can find similarities in every two of them; as follows: The Glorious Revolution which was the first, shared some consequences, and issues with the American Revolution. And for the French Revolution which followed the American Revolution and influenced by it, had also some in common.
And same as for both The Glorious, and French Revolution. No one could ever expected the extreme impact of the Glorious revolution over the American revolution and their similarities. In 1685 the Glorious Revolution occurred. In 1776 the American Revolution had begun after announcing The Declaration of Independence. Even though, the Glorious Revolution shared so many similarities; there was a slight difference about it. But these issues that have been shared in between, were amazingly straight to the eye.
A continuation of the struggle between the crown and parliament, sums up the powers that parliament had been seeking since the petition of rights” _The English Bill of Rights document. “By authority of the god people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and Independent States”_The declaration of Independence document. Studying these quotes; there is an obvious similarity, both their chiefs achieved their point, and they were successful in the conclusion.
The English Bill of Rights ensured the superiority of Parliament over the King and Queen. ” _English Bill of Rights document. ” Americans protest British Policies” -Enlightenment document. Americans decided to mobilize colonial opinion against parliamentary interference in American affairs’. The Monarchs in Britain had to obey and accept the Bill of Rights; which assured the power of Parliament. The Americans and the Monarchy both dealt with the British Government and Parliament, is another similarity we could find.
But as I said earlier there was a big difference in The Glorious Revolution. Unlike both American and French Revolution, there wasn’t a revolutionary war, instead it was a big change in the form of government. There wasn’t any blood shed. As a matter of fact both American and French Revolution truly took the blood of probably thousands of people. After the end of the American revolution in 1781. French people from the third estate been influenced by their amazing success. They were also Inspired by the example of the American people throwing off an oppressive government in the 1770s.
They roused their spirits and begun their own quest to win a republic in 1789. They fought on the foot steps of Washington’s soldiers. “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with rights, life, and pursuit of happiness” _Declaration of Independence document. ” Men are born free and remain free and equal in rights”_ Declaration of Rights. As how it seems, that both revolutions had fought their opponents for their own Rights, Equality and Freedoms.
In Addition to gain Democracy in Government. he colonists fight for Independence from great britain, began the battles of lexington and concord. After five more years of war, the British army surrendered in 1781. “_Enlightment document. “Peasant uprisings then spread from Paris throughout the country. They fight to win democratic freedoms for the people”_ Enlightenment document. By the time the American Revolution took place, citizens of the colonies were beginning to get tired of the British rule, they finally produced the Declaration of Rights which explained why they should be free of the British rule and assured their Independence.
Americans didn’t took it easy; they fought for more than five years to seize their Independence. And so as the French people; even though lacking a dependable leader, they fought for almost a century, in quest to grasp the rule in gaining their democratic rights and freedoms. they have wasted the blood of their people in resistance against the thwarts of the King’s rule. They even suffered a period called the Reign of Terror’; many people were killed for their beliefs.
Yes, they fought a revolutionary war, just like the Americans and more, but what’s different was that they did not have a leader that organize their revolutionary war and uprisings, instead it turned out to be a chaotic war; where people’s fights were scattered throughout the country. So in both American and French revolution they had blood shed. The french struggle for democracy seem to have similarity with the Glorious Revolution, thus little; since their principles of making the revolutions differ. French revolution had very little similarity with the Glorious revolution. Which was mostly about who was the revolution against.
Parliament protesting the King and Queen rule and government, and limiting their power”_Triamph of Parliament in England cornell notes. Parliament finally reached its goal and in the termination they limited the monarch’s powers and gain what they have been seeking. So it all dealt with King’s rule. “the french people upraised over the King’s government, they were hungry and felt that neither the king nor the nobility cared”_Enlightment document. The people in France too, had to deal with their king and government after all the problems the king were causing to the people; without even caring.
Even though these Revolutions shared similarities with one of the others, they all shared one thing in common, they fought against the heavy burden of the Taxes that the majority of people had to pay, It was the phrase ‘taxation without representation’ that was to draw many to the cause of the Revolutions. Furthermore, the people’s growing desire for getting their democratic freedoms was yet; another cause. The starter point of all of these revolution were the Enlightment period. Enlightment ideas shape the constitution of all of these Revolutions. Between these three great revolutions, as it seemed; there were some communications.
The Glorious Revolution had obvious similarities with the American Revolution, the American Revolution strongly affected the French Revolution, Glorious Revolution also shared; even though little similarities with the french Revolution. They all communicate with each other, they influence one another, as they were all one by one came after another. All these Revolutions were fought in the process of making and getting a better government and democracy for the people. And we ask ourselves; Did it all stopped over getting a better government and winning the democratic principles and rights?
And why were Revolutions an important point and emphasis where it changes and effects the lives of the people of the future generations in the history of the people and nations? Some answers may be found in these lines that I wrote, but still there are plenty of reasons why Revolutions are still fought for. Even in our world today there are still people dying in their countries struggling to achieve Democracy. Blood still the price in the people’s conquest to gain their rights and democracy. For better Government; for better Life.
